Ziyech, Salah Miss 2025 AFCONQ Squads: What's Behind the Notable Absences?
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers are upon us, and the continent's footballing giants are gearing up for the prestigious tournament. However, two familiar names are missing from the list: Hakim Ziyech and Mohamed Salah. This has sparked considerable discussion and speculation about the reasons behind their absence. Let's delve into the details and explore the potential factors at play.
Ziyech's Continued Break from Morocco
Hakim Ziyech, the talented Moroccan playmaker, has been absent from the national team for some time. His last appearance was during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he played a pivotal role in Morocco's historic run. However, his relationship with the national team manager, Walid Regragui, has been reportedly strained, leading to his decision to step away from international football. While Ziyech's absence was initially attributed to his personal reasons, his continuous exclusion from the 2025 AFCONQ squads points towards a deeper issue. Whether the rift between him and Regragui can be mended remains uncertain, leaving Moroccan fans wondering if they will ever see their star midfielder back in action for the national team.
Salah's Absence: A Controversial Decision?
Mohamed Salah, the Egyptian footballing icon, has been a cornerstone of the Pharaohs' success for years. However, he was surprisingly left out of the 2025 AFCONQ squad. The decision came as a shock to many, considering Salah's immense talent and importance to the Egyptian national team. The coach, Ehab Galal, has justified his decision, stating that he is focusing on building a team around young players and developing new talent. However, this explanation has been met with skepticism from some quarters, who see Salah's omission as a hasty and potentially damaging move.
The Impact on Both Teams
The absence of Ziyech and Salah is undoubtedly a significant loss for their respective national teams. For Morocco, Ziyech's creativity and experience would have been invaluable in their quest for a successful AFCONQ campaign. Similarly, Egypt's hopes of reaching the 2025 AFCON hinge heavily on Salah's goal-scoring prowess and leadership on the pitch. Both teams will undoubtedly feel the void left by these talented players, but this presents an opportunity for other players to step up and prove their worth.
Looking Ahead: Can the Teams Overcome These Setbacks?
Morocco and Egypt are still strong contenders for the 2025 AFCON, despite the absence of their star players. Both teams possess a wealth of talent, and this is a chance for the younger generation to shine and fill the void left by Ziyech and Salah. However, the absence of these two players will undoubtedly be felt throughout the qualifying campaign. The upcoming matches will be crucial for both teams as they seek to navigate through their respective groups and secure their place in the tournament.
This situation has ignited a debate about the importance of player-coach relations, the balance between experience and youth, and the overall impact of star players on national team success. It will be interesting to see how both Morocco and Egypt fare in their respective qualifying campaigns, and whether they can overcome these setbacks to achieve their ultimate goal of winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.